It’s that time of year again. No, not when I write my now seemingly annual article (sorry, I’ll try and get back to it!), but rather the time when clubs anxiously await their fate as to which division they’ll be competing in the following season. Why, though, does it always come to this?

FA Trophy 1st Round Draw

The draw for the first round of the FA Trophy has been made, and it’s the stage that sees the big boys of the Conference Premier enter the fray.

The draw is still regionalised at this stage, but is the round that the Conference National clubs make their debuts. From a personal point of view, I am delighted with the potential draw handed out to Hampton & Richmond Borough. Following Saturday’s draw at Leiston FC, the two will contest a replay tomorrow night (Tuesday November 13th) at Beveree Stadium, with the winners being handed a very attractive home tie with either Chelmsford City or Dover Athletic of Conference South. Last season, Hampton disposed of then Conference South club Hayes & Yeading United at the first round stage, while Leiston went out at the earliest possible stage, losing 1-0 at Brentwood Town in the Preliminary Round.

There are several excellent looking ties in the draw, in both sections. In the north, Mansfield Town will host Northern Premier League side Matlock Town, while NPL Division One North side Ossett Albion will travel to Edgeley Park to face Conference Premier Stockport County. Tamworth v Lincoln City also stands out, as does NPL Premier mid table side Rushall Olympic’s trip to Conference high flyers Wrexham.

In the Southern section, meanwhile, Welling United of the Conference South got the plum draw, with a home tie against Newport County, who are of course top of the Conference Premier at the time of the draw. Shortwood United or Merthyr Town, of the Southern League Division One South & West, have been handed a very good looking home draw with Conference South side Tonbridge Angels, with the two sides needing to contest a replay this Tuesday after Ryan Prosser’s 87th minute strike saved the tie for the Welshmen. Elsewhere in the section, FA Cup giantkillers Dorchester Town have another chance to upset the odds with a plum draw at home to Luton Town.

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

About James Bartaby

Hey,
I'm James and I'm relatively new to non-league football, having only taken in my first match in September 2011. Despite it being a 0-4 defeat for Hampton & Richmond Borough, I became a huge fan of the club and NL in general. So much so that they are now the first club that I mention when talking about which team I support! I just got massively disillusioned with top flight football in this country and the attitudes of the lawmakers and top clubs in general, and I wanted to start taking my son to see decent football.
I am now the club's Deputy Press Officer, and loving every minute!